ART-Induced Weight Gain & Associated Risks

Short-term increases in BMI following the initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) appear to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes in patients with HIV, according to a study. Long-term CVD risk was higher only in patients with a normal BMI prior to initiating ART. Diabetes risk was higher in HIV patients regardless of their pre-ART BMI level.